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27 Mar 2017

Varian hoping for Postponed Coronation

Postponed Coronation Cup

Roger Varian has set his sights on Postponed joining an elite group of horses to have won the Investec Coronation Cup more than once.

Postponed has suffered successive defeats in Dubai this year but Varian is hopeful that the six-year-old, who already has three QIPCO British Champions Series victories on his CV, can bounce back to his best at Epsom on his next outing in early June.

St Nicholas Abbey (2011-13) won the Coronation Cup three times during his illustrious career, while dual winners include Petite Etoile (1960-61), Triptych (1987-88) and Warrsan (2003-04).

Postponed was a runaway winner of the Group 1 feature last year under Andrea Atzeni, when trouncing Found, and afterwards won the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. He also won the QIPCO-sponsored King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2015.

Reflecting on his third behind Jack Hobbs in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Saturday, Varian said: “I suppose after the level he got to last year, you always have high expectations.

“We’re disappointed to get beaten, but the more we reflect on it, the more we think he hasn’t run a bad race at all.  Without wanting to make excuses, I don’t think the ground would have suited him, there was also a headwind and a slow pace.

“He just can’t quicken on that slower ground like he does on quicker ground, but I think you’ve got to congratulate the winner, who won very well on the night.”

Varian added: “He’s come out of the race fine. I haven’t seen him myself but he’s due to fly back today, so we’ll see how he is when he gets home.

“He certainly won’t run before Epsom and we’d be very keen to get him back for the Coronation Cup again if we can. I’m sure he’ll bounce back in the summer.”

Picture courtesy of racingfotos.com